Camp Wellstone is an intensive and energizing training program that is open to anyone interested in gaining practical skills in progressive political action. Over 16,000 people have graduated from the camps since they began in 2003, and we have held camps in 39 states to date.
During the camp, participants divide into three tracks:
- Electoral Campaigns: Tools and Tactics for Success
- Citizen Activism: Grassroots Advocacy and Organizing
- Being a Candidate: How to Run and Win a Progressive Campaign
Each track has a distinctive curriculum (see below) taught by some of the nation's leading experts in grassroots politics and organizing. In each track, we draw from Paul and Sheila Wellstone's distinctive and innovative approach to politics - something we call the Wellstone Triangle. The three elements of the triangle are: progressive public policy, which lays out an agenda for action; grassroots community organizing, which builds a constituency to fight for change; and grassroots electoral politics, which provides tools for influencing and holding decision-makers accountable.
Camp Wellstone has been an extraordinary success. Evaluations from participants have been uniformly positive, and camp graduates rave about their experiences. One participant called the camp "the most useful three days of my career." Because the trainings focus on developing practical, real-world skills, our graduates are able to immediately apply their skills in their own communities.
Our goal is to make Camp Wellstone an affordable and accessible program to anyone interested in participating. The cost of the 2.5 day camp is based on a pay-what-you-are-able sliding scale fee. Participants can attend for either $200 (full cost of training), $100 (50% of cost), or $50 (25% of cost).
We post the Camp Wellstone training calendar on our website and via e-mail (sign up to become a member of the Wellstone Action Network by clicking here). The camps fill up fast, so register early! When registering, you will be asked to choose one of the three tracks.
Below is a list of materials covered in each track:
Joint Sessions
- Politics the Wellstone Way - Introduction to Camp Wellstone
- Developing and Communicating an Effective Message
- GOTV and Beyond - Mobilizing for Political Action
- Sustaining the Progressive Movement
Track 1 - Citizen Activism, Advocacy & Organizing
- Grassroots Organizing & Power
- Engaging People for Action: Building One-to-one Relations
- Base Building
- Building Coalitions
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Voter Registration
- Earned Media
- Action Planning
- Canvassing/Door Knocking
- Grassroots Advocacy & Lobbying
- Being and Getting the Leaders We Deserve
Simulation Exercises
- The Press Event
- One-to-ones and making "the ask"
- Grassroots Lobbying
Track 2 - Working on a Campaign: Tools & Tactics for Success
- Campaign Plan & Budget
- Building, Growing & Mobilizing a Base
- Earned Media
- Paid Media and Direct Mail
- Field Organizing the Wellstone Way
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Grassroots Fundraising
- Running Effective Phone Banks
- Canvassing
- Voter Registration
- Using Technology in Electoral Politics
- Research
- Targeting
Simulation Exercises
- Recording a Campaign Radio Commercial
- Press Event
- Canvassing
- Phone-script Writing
Track 3 - Being a Candidate: How to Run & Win the Progressive Way
- Politics of Conviction - How to Lead as a Candidate
- Campaign Plan & Budget Running for Office, A Candidate's Perspective
- The Finance Plan
- Grassroots Fundraising
- Building, Maintaining and Growing Your Base
- Grassroots Fundraising - The Candidate's Role
- Earned Media
- Paid Media and Direct Mail
- Canvassing
- Research
- Targeting
- Voter Registration
Simulation Exercises
- The Stump Speech
- Crisis Simulation
- Door Knocking